Braiding copper wire?

Hi all - brand new to the forums - I tried a search didn't find specifically what I was looking for so let me ask this, please. I have just started stripping copper wires, and I am noticing two things: a) I have a hard time removing the insulation without shearing the copper as I get further down the piece of wire I am working on, and B) there are lots of little excess "hairs" of copper coming off with the insulation.

Here's what I have been doing - I am gathering the hairs and strands and twisting them all together along the nice long pieces I am able to strip. This seems to have the effect of reclaiming what I would otherwise be losing, into a sort of rough heavy cable of copper. My question is, will this affect the price I am being paid, considering there is no insulation at all on it? That is, will the yard claim that because it's not a long continuous piece, that it somehow loses value? Or are they just melting it all anyhow.

Thanks very much in advance!

10-75

Nope shouldn't at all....it will still be #2 clean...

Little tip that works for me ....an Xacto knife all the way the length of the insulation then pull the copper out... Won't get as many lose "hairs" and a nice Sharp blade makes the job pretty quick...careful though those bad boys are Sharp.

Originally Posted by Mick

Short answer - No.+

What's the long answer?

Lol nm I misunderstood what you ment by short answer.... Unless you want to provide a long in depth answer to grading lol, but my yard doesn't down grade based on the length.

At our local yard it all goes into a bailer. They make a bale of #1 then #2. Sure is pretty seeing a big copper colored 2' x 4' bale.